The Sing Education guide to sourcing an instrument for your child

If you have recently signed your child up to learn a musical instrument with us at your school, thank you! We are sure that your child is going to have an enriching and fulfilling experience learning their chosen instrument over the coming years – but before they get started, they are going to need something to play on!

This guide will distil the information that is out there and give you the best options for your child!

Icon used across website to show the content is designed for parents.

Parents

Visit Knowledge Centre
  • Tags: Extracurricular, Instrumental, Resources

If you have recently signed your child up to learn a musical instrument with us at your school, thank you! We are sure that your child is going to have an enriching and fulfilling experience learning their chosen instrument over the coming years – but before they get started, they are going to need something to play on!

This guide will distill the information that is out there and give you the best options for your child!

 

Guitars

I’m sure many of us had a go at learning or playing the guitar when we were young, and if we didn’t, secretly wanted to be in a rock band! The guitar is a very versatile instrument that can accompany, be the solo instrument, can be played classically, in rock bands or as jazz.

  • Guitars come in full size, 3/4 size and 1/2 size. For most children under 10 we would recommend 3/4 size guitar. For those over 10, as long as they aren’t small for their age, we would recommend a full size.
  • Nylon string (classical), steel string acoustic or electric? We recommend nylon string guitars to all of our beginners. They are easy on the hands and simple to use and set up.
  • We would also recommend buying a guitar tuner for your child so that they can keep their instrument in tune easily!

Buy

  • A very good 3/4 size (also available in full and 1/2 size on the website) beginner package from Normans Music, including tuner, strap and spare strings and a bag – Normans Beginner Pack
  • For a higher quality 3/4 size instrument (also available in full size), with solid top and excellent sound quality for the price point – Admira Alba Solid Top 3/4 Size (the case is available here – Rocket 3/4 Case)

Hire

A music teacher is seated on the floor, engaging with a small group of students in a classroom setting. He is holding and playing a guitar, looking at the students with a smile, indicating a warm and interactive learning environment. The students, wearing school uniforms, are attentively watching and listening, suggesting a focus on music education and the enjoyment of learning an instrument together.
A music teacher with a beard and glasses is holding a ukulele and gesturing with his hand, engaging with young students wearing green school uniforms. They are seated in a classroom with a piano in the background, suggesting a hands-on music lesson that fosters a creative and attentive learning environment.

Ukuleles

The ukulele is a traditional instrument from Hawaii. Very similar to the guitar, the ukulele is very small and only has 4 strings. You child will need a soprano ukulele to learn on. Because of the relatively low cost of these instruments, we recommend you buy your child an instrument from the outset. We also recommend you buy a ukulele tuner for your child so that they can keep their instrument in tune easily!

Buy

Keyboard & Piano

The keyboard and the piano are both excellent beginner instruments for any child. Teaching them the fundamentals of music, pitch and harmony, it is hard to think of a better instrument to start out on. Keyboards and pianos vary hugely in price, so we will give you a couple of beginner options below.

  • Whether your child is learning ‘piano’ or ‘keyboard’ they will be able to start out on a relatively cheap and simple instrument. They will need to progress onto something bigger and more versatile as they improve
  • Keyboards generally have unweighted keys whereas pianos (whether electric or acoustic) have weighted keys.
  • Make sure you go for a keyboard will full size keys – not a miniature/toy keyboard!

Buy

  • This beginners Axus keyboard is great for any player wanting to start out with keyboard or piano. This comes with stand, adapter and headphones – Normans Axus Package
  • For the next step up, look at this model of Yamaha keyboard. Comes with stool, stand and headphones – Normans Yamaha Package
  • For fully weighted digital piano, our best buy and the instrument that we use at Sing Education is the Yamaha P125. This digital piano has a beautiful sound, is fully weighted and has an excellent action – Yamaha P225
  • For acoustic pianos, we recommend you visit a specialist music shop. We highly recommend Yamaha Music on Wardour Street (formerly Chappells).

Hire

  • Normans offer hire purchase on many of their instruments, including the Axus Package listed above.
  • There are also lots of music shops that offer both long and short term rentals
A young student in a green school sweater is playing the piano, focused on the keys, while a smiling teacher with a lanyard stands beside her, observing and offering guidance, creating an atmosphere of learning and encouragement in music education.
A music instructor in a floral dress sits by a piano, teaching two focused students in green school uniforms how to play the recorder. The trio, immersed in their lesson, exemplifies the hands-on, interactive approach to music education, fostering a harmonious learning environment.

Flutes

Orchestral instruments are generally more of an investment than other instruments, and this is true in our list too. There are many options when buying or renting a flute, but the basics are:

  • Make sure you are buying a ‘beginner’ flute with closed holes, and E mechanism and C footjoint (all instruments on this list below are this specification!)
  • Avoid too-good-to-be-true priced instruments! The flute is an investment that you don’t want to get wrong.
  • If your child is very small (7 years old or below) you may want to look at flutes with a curved headjoint. We recommend speaking to your instrumental teacher or visiting a specialist shop if you are unsure about size (recommendations below)

Buy

  • The Yamaha is the preferred standard for beginner players – Yamaha YFL211UK Flute Outfit Silver Plated
  • Just Flutes sell their own beginner flute too at a lower price – Just Flutes JFL201E Flute
  • There are also lots of second hand flutes available on sites such as Gumtree and Ebay – look out for the Yamaha YFL211 and other flutes with the specifications above.

Hire

  • Dawkes offer a reasonable hire price on high quality Yamaha flutes – whilst more expensive in the long run, hiring for the first few months is certainly a cost effective way of letting your child get used to the instrument. This scheme includes insurance and maintenance, and they also put half of your rental payments after month 3 into a savings pot which can be used to go towards purchase of a new or second hand instrument from them – a good deal! – Dawkes – Rent A Flute
  • Normans also offer to rent a flute – Normans – Rent a Flute

 

Recorders

The recorder is a brilliant beginner woodwind instrument, and offers many options of progression onto orchestral instruments, such as flute, oboe and clarinet, as well as being a wonderful instrument in it’s own right. Your child will need a descant recorder for their lessons. Because of the low cost of these instruments, we recommend buying straight off. Below are two options:

Buy

Violins

The violin has been the backbone of orchestras for hundreds of years and still is one of the most popular instruments to learn. Learning to play the violin has its own unique, specific benefits. From the way it is played to the many types of music that use this instrument, you are sure to find compelling reasons to pick up the violin yourself.

  • When looking for a violin for your child, the best place to start is your local violin shop. They will be able to give you tailored advice for your first instrument – however, we have put some recommendations below.
  • Sizing is very important when it comes to the violin. This is something a store can help with but click here to view a useful guide from Norman’s music to get you started.

Buy

  • The standard choice for beginner violinists is the Stentor brand of instruments. Check your size and look for the beginner/student models. The Stentor 1018 is a great choice to get you started. Stentor 1018 – Full Size
  • See a selection of beginner violins on the Normans website – click here.

Hire

A close-up view captures the detailed artistry of a violinist in action, with a focus on the fingers deftly pressing the strings and the bow elegantly gliding across, creating a sense of the music's movement and the musician's skillful expression.

about the author

Picture of Bert Routledge
Bert Routledge
Bert is our Director of Brand and Small Group and 1:1 Tuition. Bert oversees our brand and marketing activity, both internally and externally. Bert also oversees all of our small group and 1:1 tuition, including managing the team and ensuring a smooth delivery of lessons to parents and pupils.
Picture of Bert Routledge
Bert Routledge
Bert is our Director of Brand and Small Group and 1:1 Tuition. Bert oversees our brand and marketing activity, both internally and externally. Bert also oversees all of our small group and 1:1 tuition, including managing the team and ensuring a smooth delivery of lessons to parents and pupils.

Articles by this Author

A few ukuleles are hanging together

Musical Milestones: Highlights from the Last Half-Term

As we reflect on the past half-term, our dedicated music teachers have shared some truly inspiring stories that highlight the transformative power of music in our partner schools.
Read More

A Christmas Full of Music and Joy with Sing Education

Watch our video featuring the voices of over 600 students from Sing Education primary schools across the UK
Read More
Three professionals are engaged in a lively discussion around a wooden table, with one woman and two men smiling and sharing ideas. The woman, in the center, holds a mug with the Sing Education logo, while a laptop is open in front of the man on the right, suggesting a collaborative work environment. The casual yet focused atmosphere indicates a productive meeting, with the white brick wall in the background providing a modern, relaxed setting.

The Secrets to Successful Music Education – 10 Years of Sing Education

After 10 years, Directors Josh, Alice and Bert reflect on what has made Sing Education music lessons so successful. Sing Education has developed a joy-inducing, skill-enhancing curriculum backed up by high quality training that empowers educators to deliver transformative music education experiences.
Read More

Sign-up to receive the latest news

Get In Touch

  • Sing Education, St Luke's House, 270 Sandycombe Road, TW9 3NP
  • Registered Office: 10 Towerfield Road, Shoeburyness, Essex, SS3 9QE
  • Tel: 0203 856 9800
Linkedin Twitter Youtube

Our Locations

Barking and Dagenham

Barnet

Bexley

Brent

Bromley

Camden

City of London

Croydon

Ealing

Enfield

Greenwich

Hackney

Hammersmith and Fulham

Haringey

Harrow

Havering

Hillingdon

Hounslow

Islington

Kensington and Chelsea

Kingston upon Thames

Lambeth

Lewisham

Merton

Newham

Redbridge

Richmond upon Thames

Southwark

Tower Hamlets

Waltham Forest

Wandsworth

Westminster

West London

North London

East London

South London

Kent

Medway

Greater Manchester

Bolton

Bury

Manchester

Oldham

Rochdale

Salford

Stockport

Tameside

Trafford

Wigan

Darlington

East Riding of Yorkshire

Hartlepool

Kingston upon Hull

Middlesbrough

North Yorkshire

Redcar and Cleveland

Stockton-on-Tees

York

West Midlands

Birmingham

Coventry

Dudley

Sandwell

Solihull

Walsall

Wolverhampton

Bradford

Calderdale

Kirklees

Leeds

Wakefield

 

Useful Information

Explore

Thank you!

Thank you for signing up. Keep an eye on your inbox for our next newsletter. In the meantime, why don’t you visit our…

Home
About Us
Skip to content